Collapsible container



LE 1 7 M &L%

INVENTOR. CLLfford S. Potter.

BY W

ATTURNE) Nov. 29, 1955 c. s. POTTER COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 23, 1954 United States Patent CQLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER- Clifr'ord S. Potter, Ogden, Utah Application February 23, 1954', Serial'No'.=412,140

' Claims. (Cl. 150-.5)

(Granted under Title35, U. S; Code(19'52), sec..2'66) The invention described herein, if-patented,- may'be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, withoutthe payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to collapsible containers-t This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending application Serial No. 260,293, filed December 6', 1951,- for collapsible container.

A primary object of the present-invention is topro vide a collapsible containercapable of handlinga wide variety of materials, both liquid and solid; andrso con structed that much space can be saved during-shipment of the containers emptyor storage of thesame.

A further object is to provide a collapsible container having. a built-in'pallet base to facilitate handling the container by means'of a fork-lift truck orthe like.

Anotherobject is to provide a collapsible container which is lightweight, sturdy and durable in construction,- and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantagesof the invention-will be apparent during the course of the following description:

In the accompanying drawings, forming a-part-of-this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a collapsiblecontainer embodying my invention in the folded or collapsedposition,

Figure-2 is a perspective view-of the container'in the extended or open position,

Figure 3 is'a fragmentary vertical section-taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4- is an enlarged fragmentaryexploded=vertical= section taken on line 4 4 of Figure '2, and

Figure 4a is an' enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 4a 4a of Figure 2.

In the drawings, where-for-thepurpose ofillustrat ion' isshown a preferred embodimentof my; invention, the numeral designates a low rigid rectangular palletbase-ofcast aluminum or thelike.- Thepall'et base-10 comprises upper and lower spaoed superposed pl'ates'll and 12 which are coextensive and rectangular, and four corner legs or webs 13, integrally connected withvthe plates 11 and 12 at the corners of the same. Except for the legs 13, the space between theiplatesll 'andu12 is unobstructed, and the legs form'with-plat'esll-and 12wide horizontal passages or'slots 14;.uponall four sides of the pallet base for the reception of the lifting times of fork-lift trucks, or the like- Thepallet'base' 10. is .-a four-way pallet base. which-may receive the lifting tines of the fork-lift truck at any of the four sides of the same. The pallet base 10 is onlysufii ciently deep or high to enable the liftingtines of-the fork-lift truck to pass 'therethrough, and the baseis fiat and quite low and compact, as illustrated.

A lower open rigid rectangular frame 15 is arranged above the pallet base 10 and preferably has the same length and width as the pallet-base',' and extends-con tinuously abbutth'e marginaledge'of the"pallet'bas'e'.

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The-lowerrectangular frame 15- is preferablyformedof aluminum, or the like. The frame-15 comprises a lower flat horizontal fiange16--whieh projects inwardlyfrom the margin of the pallet base 10- fora relatively short distance,- but far enough to-prov-ide an adequate seat for therigid frame 15 =upon the pallet'base 101- The flange 16- extends continuously:around alhfour sides of the pallet base 10; The fiange 16 has a large-rectangular opening 17, extending over the'major portion of the area of the top plate-11, as shown.

The lower frame 15 further comprises a marginal up standingportion or bead 18, integral with the horizontal flange 16, and'likewise'extending-continuously about'all four sides of the base -10'and-frame 15. The upstanding frame portion 18 'has a continuous upwardly opening deepgroove 19 formed therein, and rectangular in crosssection, as shown. The groove 19'extends continuously about all four sides of the frame 15 and base 10.-

A relatively thick compressiblegasket 2i)- of'rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like is arranged betweenthe bottom-flange 16 of the frame" 15 'and'the-top oftheupper plate 11, for forming a liquid-tight jointbetweenthe pallet base ltl and lower frame. 15. The gasket 20' extends continuously about the foursid'es of the lower rigid framelS, and is preferably of the samewidth as the flange 16 upon all four sides of theflange, The gasket 2% has a central rectangular opening 21, preferably of the same size as'the frame'opening- 17. The gasket 20- is preferably provided near its-outer margin" with a continuous depending rib orprojectiorr 22, integral there with, for engagement within-acontinuous groove or seat 23 in the top of the pallet base 10, close to the m'argim of the same. The rib 22 and 'gr-oove 23 extend'continuously about all four sides of the' pallet base;

Thelower'rigid frame 15 is detachably rigid-lysecured to the pallet base- 10 at apreferrednumberof points about the four sides -ofthe frame-and base bycor-wen tional quick release fasteners 24,- such as Simmons Quick- Look fasteners or the-like, as best-shown'in-Figure 4a. I prefer to employ eight of the quick-lock fasteners 24 for securing-the frame 15 -to thepallet-base 10,- locating; one fastener adjacent toeachcorner of the pallet'base' 1t), and onefastener midway: between the legs 13 at all four sides of thedevice. Of course, a greater number or fewer of the fasteners '24 may. be provided-between the frame 15 and pallet base 10,=as found desirable? As shown in Figure 4a,- the--gasket 20 'ispreferably apertured at-25 adjacent -to each quick-lock fastener 24-, toreceive elements of the fastener, and l'thelower side of-thezplate 11 maybe recessed as at-26 to receivethc= lower element 27 of each quick-lockfatstener 24: The horizontal flange 16 ofthe rectangular frame 15 is provided adjacent to the fasteners 24 with screw threadec-l openings 28,- to receive the screw-threaded receptacles or barrels 29 of the fastener-s,:and-flock nuts 3d have-scr'ew threaded engagement with: the fastenerbarrels 29;and engage uponthe horizontalflange-16y as 'showni' When the fasteners 24 aretightened, the rigidfra'me 151s drawn downwardly? into tightclamping:engagement with the gasket 20;-"and the'gasket is tightlytcompressedagainst the top face of the pallet'base '10,.and provides' -a re liable liquid-tight seal between the frame 15 and pallet base 10. I As shown in the drawings, .the gas'ket" 20 extends upon opposite sidesof the quick look fasteners 24, so that a seal is provided-inwardly:and outwardly of the fasteners.

A collapsible andextensible accordion-pleated rectangular sleeve or body portion-31 ofany.preferredlength' is provided, and the upper and lower-ends ofthis sleeve are entirely open Theaccordionpleated-sleeve 31 -is preferably. formed er rubber, rubberized fabric, ior- -rub ber'reinforced 'with' internal cords of cotton, nylon or the.

like, such as the cords employed to reinforce an automobile tire casing, and the side walls of the sleeve 31 are preferably relatively thick and very tough and durable. The rectangular sleeve 31 has approximately the same over-all dimensions as the pallet base and rectangular frame 15, and extends continuously about the four sides of the frame and pallet base. The accordion-pleated sleeve 31 is preferably reinforced at each of the fold lines of its pleats with continuous wire hoops or bands 32, molded or embedded therein, and extending continuously about the four sides of sleeve 31. The wire hoops 32 may be omitted from the sleeve 31 if desired, but will materially strengthen the sleeve 31 and render the same capable of containing a wider variety of material when used.

The lower end portion 33 of the accordion-pleated sleeve 31 engages within the continuous groove 19 of the rigid frame 15, and is permanently fixedly secured therein by cementing, vulcanizing or the like. The engagement of the end portion 33 in the deep groove 19 forms a liquid-tight joint between the accordion-pleated sleeve 31 and the rigid frame 15, about all four sides of the latter.

An upper rigid rectangular frame 34, similar to the lower frame 15 is provided, and preferably formed of aluminum, or the like. The frame 34 has preferably the same outside dimensions as the frame 15, and comprises an upper horizontal portion or flange 35, arranged in opposition to the flange 16, and preferably somewhat wider than the flange 16, as shown. The flange 35 extends continuously around the four sides of the container, and is provided in its top face with a continuous recess or groove 36, also extending about the four sides of the container. The rigid frame 34 further comprises 21 depending marginal portion or side 37, integral therewith, and having a deep downwardly opening groove 38 formed therein, rectangular in cross section, and extending continuously about the four sides of the frame 34. The groove 38 is of the same width and has the same overall dimensions as the groove 11. The upper end portion 39 of the accordion-pleated sleeve 31 engages within the groove 38, as shown, and is permanently secured therein by cementing, vulcanizing or the like.

The upper rigid frame 34 has a large rectangular opening 40 formed therein, and extending over a major portion of the area of the frame 34 and container, through which large objects may be introduced into and removed from the collapsible container, as well as finely divided or granular solids, or liquids. A flat rectangular cover plate 41 of stiff sheet aluminum, or the like, is provided for the top of the container, and preferably has the same overall dimensions as the upper rigid frame 34. Like the top wall 11 of the pallet base 10, the central portion of the cover plate 41 is imperforate. A compressible gasket 42 of rubber, synthetic rubber or the like is permanently secured to the bottom of the cover plate 41 by cementing, vulcanizing, or the like. The gasket 42 is rectangular, and extends continuously about the four sides of the cover plate 41, and is spaced somewhat inwardly of the marginal edge of the cover plate, as shown. The gasket 42 is disposed opposite the top flange 35 of the frame 34, for engagement therewith, and the gasket 42 includes a thickened marginal portion or bear 43, adapted to enter the continuous groove 36 of the upper frame 34.

The flat cover plate 41 is detachably rigidly secured to the top of the frame 34 by a plurality of conventional quick-action fasteners 44, such as Simmons Quick-Lock fasteners of the screw-threaded receptacle type. I prefer to provide eight of the fasteners 44 at the top of the container, with one fastener at each of the four corners, and one fastener at each side of the container, midway between the corners, as shown. The upper frame 34 is provided in its top, adjacent to each fastener 44 with a screw-threaded opening or recess 45, to receive the screwthreaded body portion or receptacle 46 of each fastener, Figure 4. The cover plate 41 is apertured as at 47, ad-

jacent to each fastener 44 for receiving the male fastener element 48 of each quick-lock fastener 44, as shown. The cover plate 41 is depressed or recessed at 49, adjacent to each fastener 44, so that the heads 51} of the fastener elements 48 will be flush with the top of the cover plate 41 in assembly. When the fastener elements 48 are locked within the elements 46, the cover plate 41 is drawn down tightly upon the upper frame 34, and the gasket 42 is tightly compressed for forming a liquid-tight seal between the cover plate 41 and the upper rigid frame 34. The gasket portion or bead 43 will be compressed and spread out within the groove 36 of the frame 34, for effectively sealing the container. If desired, a greater number or fewer than eight of the quick-lock fasteners 44 may be provided around the top of the container for detachably securing the fiat cover plate 41 thereto.

To facilitate raising or extending the collapsible container prior to filling the same with liquid or solid material, I provide a flexible sling or strap 51 of any preferred length. The sling 51 is provided at its ends with lifting elements or plates 52, permanently secured thereto and having lugs or pins 53 projecting inwardly thereof, for engagement within side openings 54, formed in opposite vertical sides of the upper rigid frame 34. When the pins 53 engage within the side openings 54, while the plates 52 engage the vertical sides of the upper frame 34, it is merely necessary to lift the sling 51 for raising the collapsible container to a position such as that shown in Figure 2. With the cover plate 41 removed, the desired material may be placed within the container through the large rectangular opening 40, and the cover plate 41 may now be applied and readily secured in place with the quick-lock fastener means 44. The sling or strap 51 is now removed, and if the container is filled to capacity, the material within it will maintain the container in the fully extended position. If the container is only partly filled, the accordion-pleated body portion or sleeve 31 will collapse or fold downwardly until the cover plate 41 rests upon the top of the material, either liquid or solid, within the container.

When the container is empty, the accordion-pleated sleeve 31 will fold or collapse downwardly to the low compact condition illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the entire container occupies a minimum of space during return shipment empty, or during storage of the containers. It is to be noted, that the top and bottom of the assembled container are flat and free of obstructions, so that the containers may be readily stacked whether empty, full or partly full. By means of the pallet base 11 a single container or a stack of containers, either full or empty may be readily transported and lifted by a conventional industrial truck of the fork-lift type. The container thus provides an air and moisture-tight enclosure for a wide variety of materials, and the container may be repeatedly used almost indefinitely, even with relatively rough handling.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A collapsible container for liquid and solid material comprising a low pallet base adapted to be engaged by the lifting forks of an industrial truck or the like, a flexible tubular body portion secured to the pallet base and foldable upon the same and having its top end open, an open. rigid frame secured to the top end of the flexible tubular body portion and movable therewith toward and from the pallet base, a substantially flat cover plate detachably secured to the top of said frame and covering the opening of the frame and the top of said tubular body portion, and gasket means arranged between said frame and cover plate for forming a liquid-tight seal therewith.

2. A container for liquid and solid materials comprising a pallet base adapted to be engaged by the lifting forks of an industrial truck or the like, an extensible accordionpleated sleeve secured to said pallet base and foldable upon the base in a substantially fiat condition, a rigid frame secured to the end of said sleeve remote from the pallet base and having a large opening through which liquid and solid material may be introduced into the container, a cover plate for the top of said frame, and quickrelease fastener means for securing the cover plate to said frame.

3. A collapsible container for liquid and solid materials comprising a pallet base adapted to be engaged by the lifting forks of an industrial truck or the like, a first frame mounted upon the top of the pallet base near the margin of the pallet base, a compressible gasket disposed between the first frame and pallet base and forming a liquid-tight seal therewith, quick-release fastener means connecting said pallet base and first frame and drawing the first frame into tight clamping engagement with said pallet base and gasket, said first frame having an upwardly opening groove extending continuously about the first frame, a second substantially rigid frame movable toward and from the first frame and having a large opening and a downwardly opening groove extending continuously about the second frame, an accordion-pleated collapsible and extensible sleeve extending between the first and second frames and having end portions secured within said grooves of the first and second frames, a cover plate for the top of the second frame and covering the opening of the second frame, and quick-release fastener means for detachably securing the cover plate to the second frame.

4. A collapsible container for liquid and solid materials comprising a rigid rectangular pallet base adapted to be engaged by the lifting forks of an industrial truck or the like, a first open rectangular frame mounted upon the top of the pallet base near the margin of the same and having an upwardly opening groove extending continuously about the sides of the same, a compressible gasket disposed between the first frame and the top of the pallet base to be compressed, fastener means connecting the first frame and pallet base and adapted to draw the first frame against the pallet base and compress the gasket, a second open rectangular frame movable toward and from the first frame and having a downwardly opening groove extending continuously about the sides of the second frame, an extensible rectangular accordion-pleated sleeve extending between the first and second frames and having opposite end portions secured within the grooves of the first and second frames, a flat rectangular cover plate for the top of the second frame and covering the opening of the second frame, a compressible gasket disposed between the plate and second frame to be compressed, and adjustable fastener means connecting the cover plate and second frame and adapted to draw the cover plate into tight clamping engagement with said gasket and second frame.

5. A collapsible portable container for liquid or solid materials comprising a relatively low pallet base adapted to be engaged by the lifting forks of an industrial truck or the like, a first open rigid frame secured to the top of the pallet base and extending continuously about the marginal portion of the pallet base and forming therewith a substantially fluid-tight seal, a companion open rigid frame arranged in opposition to the first frame and movable toward and from the same and being of approximately the same marginal shape and size as the first frame, a flexible pleated tubular body portion arranged lengthwise between said first and companion rigid frames and having opposite end portions secured to the first and companion frames and forming therewith substantially fluid-tight joints, said pleated body portion being readily collapsible onto the first frame and pallet base with said companion frame for rendering the container low and substantially fiat when empty, and a substantially fiat plate detachably mounted upon said open companion frame and covering the opening of the same and forming therewith a substantially fluid-tight joint, said cover plate being of substantially the same marginal size and shape as said first and companion frames.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 781,939 Fulton Feb. 7, 1905 2,299,175 Procissi et al Oct. 20, 1942 2,308,479 Young Jan. 12, 1943 2,623,565 Unthank Dec. 30, 1952 2,685,316 Krasno Aug. 3, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 682,016 France Feb. 10, 1930 

